When you’re trying to get a brilliantly bright smile, you probably do what most people do — use whitening toothpaste and rinses, and maybe even invest in whitening strips. However, there’s something you may not be doing that could be counteracting all your other efforts: watching what you eat.
Foods to Avoid After Teeth Whitening
If you want a white smile, there are a few foods that stain your teeth that you should avoid eating.
Coffee
How often do you brush your teeth in the morning then enjoy a nice cup of java? We’re sorry to say it, but in doing that, you’re just letting the coffee stain your teeth more. When you brush your teeth, you further open up the porous surface of your teeth and lett that dark-colored coffee in. Add a little milk to your coffee next time to lighten the color and always brush your teeth afterward instead of before.
Soda
While soda isn’t great for your teeth to begin with (all that sugar), dark sodas can stain your teeth just like coffee. Plus, soda is pretty acidic, so it wears down your enamel, too. It’s best to give up soda altogether, but if you have to drink it, choose clear sodas that won’t stain your teeth as much.
Tomato Sauce
We all love a good plate of pasta, but that marinara sauce is not doing your smile any favors. On top of being acidic, tomato sauce can slowly add a reddish tint to your teeth. But since tomatoes are good for you, just eat some greens before digging into anything tomato-based. Green foods, such as broccoli, add a layer over your teeth to protect against staining.
Beets
Have you ever cut open a beet? If so, you know that they stain essentially anything they touch, from your cutting board to your hands and dish towels. If you’re a fan of beets, the best thing you can do to keep your teeth stain-free is brush them no later than an hour after eating.
Pro Tip: A good way to tell if a particular food or drink will stain your teeth is by thinking of the “lab coat test.” If the food can stain a white lab coat, it can stain your teeth, too.
The fastest way to get your teeth dazzlingly white is to head over to Smiles by Jiveh for a Zoom! teeth whitening treatment. In just hour, Zoom! can get your teeth several shades whiter and give you the smile of your dreams.
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other dentistry-related topics, feel free to contact Smiles By Jiveh by clicking here or by calling (561) 798-9997.